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Major Climate Change Initiative Launched

October 19, 2015

Leading Citizens Groups Kick Off Major Climate Change Initiative in Michigan

Organizing Drive Launches With Saturday’s March for Justice

DETROIT, MI — Michigan’s first statewide coalition of citizens to advance climate change solutions was announced today with the new Michigan Climate Action Network preparing to kick off its first organizing drive at Saturday’s Detroit March for Justice event.

“Michiganders want action on climate change. By coming together we will build a stronger movement in Michigan to confront the defining issue of our time,” said Kate Madigan, Michigan Climate Action Network Coordinator. ”Climate change solutions mean cleaner air, cleaner energy, and community-based efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate disruption. Our future is at stake. Michigan needs to lead.”

Leading citizens groups from throughout Michigan — including Detroit, northern Michigan, west Michigan and statewide organizations — formed Michigan Climate Action Network to strengthen grassroots organizing and public education efforts around climate change in the state.

“We are excited to kick off our first major organizing drive at the Detroit March for Justice this Saturday,” said Kimberly Hill Knott, Project Director of the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative (DCAC). “In Detroit, and around the world, low-income and minority communities are the most vulnerable, but least responsible, for carbon emissions and other dangerous pollutants.” Our homes are flooding now, increases in asthma attacks due to extreme heat are happening now. We need our leaders to ACT on climate change now!

“Our communities, our businesses and our families are so tied to the health of the Great Lakes. Pure Michigan must be more than a marketing slogan.” – Rev. Deb Hansen, Concerned Citizens of Cheboygan and Emmett Counties

Membership in Michigan Climate Action Network is open to any individual or group with a commitment to the network’s mission. Current network members are Citizens Climate Lobby Michigan Chapters, Concerned Citizens of Cheboygan & Emmett Counties, Detroit Climate Action Collaborative, Ecology Center, Food & Water Watch, Groundwork Center, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, TC350 and West Michigan Environmental Action Council.

Rev. Deb Hansen of Concerned Citizens of Cheboygan and Emmett Counties said northern Michigan residents are ready to act on climate solutions.

“Our communities, our businesses and our families are so tied to the health of the Great Lakes. Pure Michigan must be more than a marketing slogan,” said Hansen. “Our love for the beauty and quality of life we enjoy will help us to make wise choices. We need our elected officials to understand that time is not on our side when it comes to climate change.”

Rachel Hood, the Executive Director of West Michigan Environmental Action Council, said cities will lead the way to climate resiliency in Michigan.

“Grand Rapids is often seen as a model in the state and among mid-sized cities in the US. But each community has a unique context in which to work and from those unique viewpoints, innovation for climate change will begin. Michigan’s cities need to stick together and learn from each other to thrive.”Rachel Hood of West Michigan Environmental Action Council said. “Hats off to the organizers of Michigan Climate Action Network for bringing us together to put a spotlight on climate change solutions in Michigan.”